Funeral Mass for Charles Monaghan

Charles “Charlie” E. Monaghan, 90, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at UIHC following a long illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 17, 2023, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, with Fr. Dennis Miller, presiding.  A visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 16, 2023, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW in Cedar Rapids. Friends may also visit after 9:30 a.m. on Monday at the church. A burial will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery where full military rites will be conducted.  

Charles was born December 17, 1932, in Parnell, the son of Bernard M. and Anna E. (Doyle) Monaghan. He proudly served his country as a Marine in Korea from 1952-1955. He enjoyed woodworking, taking walks, and spending time with his family and friends.  Charlie worked at CR Block for over twenty-six years until 1984. Following his time there he got to know many people as a locker attendant at the Cedar Rapids Country Club. He was a member of the KC’s, Eagles, Moose Lodge, and life member of VFW Post #788.   He was a lifelong and devout member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Charlie was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand, whenever he could.  It was thru this passion, that he met his friend Jan Bertch.  Soon her family was loved and treated as his own.  For over thirty years, Charlie helped Jan with many foster children. He hoped his influence would make a difference in their lives.  He was especially close to Derek, who said “Charlie was the only dad he had in his life.”  The youngest child adopted by Jan was Ziri, who soon became the “light of his life.” 

Charlie is survived by his nieces, nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Leo Monaghan, John F. (Margaret) Monaghan and Leonard “Red” (Kathy) Monaghan, and sisters Madaline (John) Murphy, Mary Regina (John) Zaruba - Lorenzen and Geraldine (Andy) Passino.  

Memorials may be directed to the Charlie Monaghan Memorial Fund.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Westridge, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and his home health care team.